Dennis Lee Shackleford

Dennis Lee Shackleford, age 83, of El Dorado, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. Born June 28, 1930, he was the son of the late John Marshall Shackleford and Violet Mayes Shackleford. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John Marshall Shackleford Jr. and William Hubert Shackleford; and his special cousin, Hubert Mayes Jr. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jane Hall Shackleford; three daughters, Eve Yancey and her husband, Larry, of Little Rock, Carol Mitchell and her husband, Steve, of El Dorado, Martha Chisenhall and her husband, Larry, of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Andrew Yancey, Schuler Benson, Mollie Larson, Clay Chisenhall, Mark Chisenhall, Kate Chisenhall; and four great-grandchildren, Ellie Larson, Isaac Shackleford Larson, Addison Chisenhall, and Wyn Chisenhall. A lifelong resident of El Dorado, Dennis graduated from El Dorado High School in 1948. He attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1953 he graduated from the United States Air Force Pilot Training School and served his country during the Korean Conflict as a helicopter pilot for the Air Rescue Service. In 1958, Dennis earned his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law and returned to El Dorado to join his father and brother in the practice of law forming the law firm Shackleford, Shackleford and Shackleford. The Shackleford Law Firm continues today as Shackleford, Phillips, & Ratcliff, PA. Dennis wanted to be a lawyer from an early age, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, uncle, and brother. His profession was also his passion. Practicing law for over 50 years, he became one of the most respected trial lawyers in Arkansas serving his profession in many capacities and earning recognition on state and national levels. Members of the legal community often referred to him as a lawyer's lawyer. During his legal career, he was elected and served as President of the Arkansas Bar Association and President of the Union County Bar Association. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers serving as state chairman from 1982-1984 and serving as a Regent from 1990-1994. He was also a Fellow of the American and Arkansas Bar Foundations. Dennis was a past president of the Arkansas Institute for Continuing Legal Education and served as a member of the Arkansas Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners, a member and former president of the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, and as an Advocate and former state Chairman of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" from 1983-2013. He was recognized by the Arkansas Bar Foundation as the recipient of the of the C. E. Ransick Award of Excellence to the legal profession in 1986; the recipient of the Outstanding Lawyer of the Year in 1992; and the recipient of the James H. McKenzie Professionalism Award in 2004. He was recognized by the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel as Outstanding Lawyer of the Year in 1997. A memorial service will be held Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado. Visitation will take place at Young's Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shackleford Phillips Scholarship Fund, Arkansas Bar Foundation, 2224 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, Ark. 72206 or to the charity of your choice.